10 Things I Love in My Kitchen!
Sarah Hinrichsen, Co-Founder & CEO at Body Fuel Alliance
It can be INTIMIDATING finding a recipe you love - only to clock the 8 different kitchen goods you’ll need to complete said recipe. (I have a hard enough time sourcing ingredients and using my produce before it goes bad!) So, I’ve compiled this list of the top 10 appliances/useful kitchen items you may find useful. For both newbies in the kitchen AND master chefs, there’s something for everyone here. Some are just fun, some are truly necessary - but they’re all great (cost effective and good-for-the-environment) solutions!! I’ve linked amazon links here, but pro tip: always keep an eye out for sales at Target, T.J. Maxx, or Goodwill! You never know what you may find!
Air Fryer – Air Fryers are an amazing investment especially if you are cooking for one. I love to throw my veggies in the air fryer for 20 min with some olive oil, salt, and pepper - and dinner is SERVED baby. An air fryer gives you all the benefits of an oven but with a quicker delivery time and no “UGH I forgot to preheat the oven” moments.
Air Popper – Popcorn, in my informed opinion, is one of the greatest joys of life. And while the packaged version of popcorn can lead to unwanted chemicals and cancer aiding agents, an air popper gives you the purest form of corn. I love how quickly you can have fresh popcorn and you can dress is however you’d like! Air poppers are a small investment (usually around $15) and bring night after night of joy in the form of a quick, healthy snack when you just need a little something. (I personally love topping mine with a Tablespoon of ghee and some nutritional yeast.)
Fruit Storage Container - If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would be raspberries. So, I like to make sure I always have raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries washed and in a fruit storage container for easy access. Instead of reaching for a wrapped candy, reach for your berry bowl!
Oil Spray – Oil spray is great to have on hand for sautéing just about anything you can imagine. I start every pan with a quick spray of ghee or coconut oil to avoid sticking. I think the spray oils help us stick to my favorite phrase: Less is more! (I try to limit my olive oil to be just a topping or dressing, as it can actually become dangerous to our health when consumed after being cooked at high temperatures!)
Measuring Spoons/Cups – Especially when it comes to baking, there’s nothing more vital than a set of measuring spoons/cups that you LOVE. Make sure they’re easily accessible and easy to clean, since they’re getting a daily workout!
Blender/Magic Bullet – There’s no getting around it: a good blender is vital in every kitchen. Does that mean you need to go buy the $600 Vitamix?! Absolutely not. I’ve had my Amazon $80 blender for 4 years and she hasn’t let me down yet! But do your research and know what you’ll be using your blender for. Personally, I’m usually making smoothies and smoothie bowls, but my blender has the ability to blend up a solid bowl of hummus or Jalapeño Crème as well. I also love my magic bullet to travel with, or to whip up smaller batches of dressings or hummus.
Organization Station – The best trick I know to eating healthy and whole foods is to have everything you need to succeed at your fingertips. I grabbed a bunch of storage containers on Amazon to keep on hand filled with: Hemp hearts, unsweetened coconut flakes, chia seeds, cacao powder, maca powder, cacao nibs, bee pollen, and grounded flax seeds. They all have their handy containers and I store them near my blender – it makes it that much easier to add extra nutrients to your smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt bowls... you get the idea!
Reusable Ice Cream Container – I found my reusable ice cream storage container at T.J. Maxx for $1.99. I love to make banana nice cream and keep this in the freezer so I don’t feel left out when I see anyone reaching for a pint of Ben and Jerry’s!
Glass Storage Containers – Seriously, storage containers have saved me on more than one occasion. As usual, I don’t believe that more is better. Find 6 storage containers you LOVE in all different sizes and make it a point to use up food in those containers before they go bad! I also like to make sure I keep frozen bananas in a container at all times for easy smoothie and nice cream action.
Tabletop Oil Mister – I found mine at T.J. Maxx for $3.99! I love to put my homemade dressings in the mister and leave it on the table. They’re a great way to enjoy your homemade, olive oil-based dressing without sabotaging flavor or convenience for your or guests in your home!
